‘A lot of people pretty much lost everything’: heroes who lent a hand during the floods

When floodwaters swept through Dalby leaving homes inundated and isolated, the best parts of the community shone through and amazing people stepped up to the challenge. See the list of local legends:

When Dalby residents were left with the massive clean-up after floodwaters once again surrounded their homes and left them stranded, many stood up to help their neighbours through the ordeal.

Almost everyone affected has a story of how they were helped or lent a hand to someone else during the stressful time last week, highlighting the town’s strong community spirit.

Whether it was offering someone accommodation for the night, moving a car or helping clean up the debris left behind are just some of the touching gestures of dalby’s very own flood heroes.

Here are a few and their stories:

Barrett Haager

Barrett Haager behind his grandmother’s home on James Street during 2022 floods in Dalby Picture: Emily Devon

Not only was Barrett Haager responsible for helping clean up his Nan’s house after the flood, but he made sure her neighbours received helped as well.

The 13-year-old kept his 87-year-old grandma Elaine Haager company throughout the duration of the floods, staying by her side until it was over and everything was cleaned up.

“Barrett said, ‘Righto Nan, we’ll put everything up now’,” Mrs Haager said.

She said that the water reached the top of her first step, so thankfully Barrett had ensured all her pot plants from the backyard and her neighbours’ belongings were brought to a safe level to stop them from floating away.

Barrett and his dad Jamie kept Mrs Haager company Tuesday afternoon after cleaning up their own yard that was inundated with water.

Krystal Steinohrt

Krystal Steinohrt went above and beyond her regular role at the Dalby Leagues Club Tuesday, the day the town was inundated by floodwaters.

The personal assistant learnt that one of the club’s regular customers was stranded with no way home due to flooding.

Ms Steinohrt took it upon herself by driving the elderly woman home that day and made sure she got to dry land safely.

“Our regulars here are like family,” she said.

Aiden Wilkinson

Aiden Wilkinson was one of two men that helped push a ute out of the water at the Dalby Leagues Club the day after the creek reached its peak.

“Aiden was in and out all day helping people push cars and all sorts, very proud of him going above and beyond and out of his comfort zone,” an onlooker said.

A humble Aiden said his own house wasn’t affected too much, so he wanted to help others.

“I originally only went up there to see if I could get my car out but ended up helping people instead,” he said.

It took Aiden two to three hours to help people remove their cars.

“I know a lot of people have pretty much lost everything and I feel for them, so I’m just glad I could help out.”